Issues: Finance

MAHOPAC, NY - Steve and Susan Salomone have a story that parents across the Hudson Valley have come to relate to: their son Justin died of a heroin overdose in 2012. As a result of his death, the Salomones, along with the Christensen family of Somers, founded the advocacy group Drug Crisis in Our Backyard. At a press conference earlier today, State Senator Terrence Murphy, who serves as the co-chairman of the Senate's Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Abuse, announced a $25,000 state grant in an effort to expand the program's reach throughout the community.

Today’s announcement of funding for Alfred University and Alfred State College is exciting news for economic development in Allegany County. The Center for High-Temperature Characterization at Alfred University, and the Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing Center at Alfred State College’s Wellsville Campus, will provide students using these facilities with a world-class education in state-of-the-art practices for advanced manufacturing. Manufacturing remains an integral part of our economy in the Southern Tier, and preparing people of all ages for careers in fields where good-paying jobs are open immediately is an important step in jumpstarting our state’s economy.

Program Sponsored by Senator Young Supports Better Health, Local Farmers

ALBANY - Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I- Olean) announced today that funding included in this year’s state budget will provide free farm-fresh fruits and vegetables from area farmers’ markets to seniors in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and Livingston Counties.

ALBANY – The highly successful Food for Thought Culinary Arts program, operated by Cattaraugus Community Action (CCA), will be able to continue providing a 15-week training program for low-income youth and displaced adults thanks to funding supplied by the Workforce Development Institute (WDI), a program championed by Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean).

ALBANY – Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I- Olean) has announced that she secured state assistance for invasive species prevention for Chautauqua Lake.

As part of this year’s state budget, Senator Young successfully obtained a $100,000 grant for the Chautauqua Lake Association (CLA), to support the organization’s ongoing battle against invasive aquatic species that can wreak havoc on the lake if not controlled.

BREWSTER, NY - After months of advocating for additional funds to address the Hudson Valley's crumbling infrastructure, Senator Terrence Murphy announced today that key thoroughfares within the 40th Senate District are set to benefit from an additional $75 million in accelerated paving projects. "Earlier this year I joined my colleagues in successfully securing an additional $50 million in CHIPS funding to address the harsh conditions of our roads following last year's brutal winter," said Murphy. "Having heard from the local officials across my district it was clear that they needed more assistance than was originally provided to ensure our roads are safe for everyone."

Focus is on improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of tick-borne diseases

ALBANY – Improvements to the methods of preventing, diagnosing, and treating Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, along with legislation to help stop the spread of the deer tick population, recently passed the state Senate.

The legislative package was the result of work done by the Senate’s Task Force on Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases, to which Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I- Olean) was appointed earlier this year, and is aimed at addressing the rising public health crisis.

Funding will promote business growth, likely create eight new jobs in the next three years

ALBANY – Spherical Block, LLC, an Allegany County manufacturer, expects to see job growth and expanded operations as a result of funding assistance provided through the Workforce Development Institute (WDI), a program championed by Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean).

As part of the 2015-16 State Budget, Senator Young personally advocated for the restoration of funding that supports the mission of the Workforce Development Institute following Governor Cuomo’s proposal to eliminate the program. The enacted budget restored $5 million in funding for the program.

Legislation Sponsored by Senator Young Will Boost Patients Access to Needed Dental Services

ALBANY – New Yorkers, especially those who live in rural communities, will soon have greater access to medical care, especially specialists who focus on unique diseases, and faster, more convenient treatment options. Under the new legislation, authored by Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – Olean), telehealth services, which were opened earlier this year in New York, will now be expanded to include dental healthcare professionals.

ALBANY, NY - In 1983, the John D. Rockefeller III Fund made a gift of three million dollars to New York State, to create a permanent endowment to be used for the care and maintenance of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Pocantico Hills. State Senator Terrence Murphy today announced passage of legislation he authored which would transfer custodianship of the Endowment from the State Comptroller to the Natural Heritage Trust, which will allow the funds to be invested and grow more aggressively.

ALBANY, NY - A bill that would nearly halve the sales tax in Putnam County over a 10 day period in August sponsored by Senator Terrence Murphy passed the State Senate this week. The legislation, which was requested by the Putnam County government, would mean shoppers enjoy a reduced sales tax in the county from 8.38 percent to 4.38 percent for clothing and footwear under $110 from August 16th to August 25th.

Legislation passed by the Senate continues progress made in this year’s state budget

ALBANY – The Senate passed several measures yesterday to continue their fight for property tax relief.

Among those bills, the Senate passed legislation (S3019), sponsored by Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – Olean), that would create incentives for counties to investigate and prosecute Medicaid fraud. Upon a successful fraud conviction, the local government would receive 100 percent of their local share of the original overpayment. Since the local share on some judgments may be very small, the local governments would be guaranteed at least 10 percent of any recovery, including settlements.